NEW SOLDIERS HAVE READING AGE OF SEVEN!

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Labour's Mike Gapes, a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee said: "Clearly somebody aged 17 who has a reading age of seven could find themselves subject to bullying, peer jokes and being treated in a way that could make their lives very, very miserable."

But Admiral Goodall said poorly educated recruits were sent on day release courses to colleges or taught on their bases by special tutors.

He added: "The most important point about going through that process is that these individuals gain self-confidence, motivation and self-awareness." Up to 70 per cent of the near-illiterates are dyslexic. But the committee found today's recruits are generally worse educated than their predecessors and more likely to disobey orders.

Committee chairman Bruce George said: "The failures are more a reflection of the educational and social system than the military system.

"Those guys out in Iraq are showing themselves to be among the finest infantry in the world."

And Mr Gapes said: "These people should be given a chance. Few employers who would invest in their recruits the way the Army does."